Friday, June 29, 2012

Burnt Nuts, the Green Man & Reiki

This is what happens when time gets away from me. I have a lot to talk
about. I've been super busy lately, and it seems my creativity is
skyrocketing. Several projects are in the works. The first is a
Greenman image. I have been working on this for over a month now. I
recently completed the drawing and now I am on to the ink and watercolor
version. I hope you like how he is coming along.

The original photo was
provided by my friend Molly Stanton http://www.elvenelysium.com/. In the image
is my friend David Shane Odom who is wearing one of his amazing Greenman mask
designs http://www.mythicalmasks.com/oddiments_files/main.html. I
stumbled upon the photo of Shane on FB, as we are mutual friends and felt
compelled to draw it. For a while now, I have wanted to do something that
would compliment my Mother Nature image, and knew this was the one. It
turned out to be much more difficult than I ever imagined. The leaves
were a complete labyrinth and the mask was very intricate. Nevertheless,
I plugged away and took my time. I even created little vlogs of my
progress, which was something new for me as an artist. Putting myself
"out there" as an artist on video was intimidating to say the
least. I didn't want to come off as preachy, or make an ass of
myself. If nothing else, it gave me ideas for other projects, which I
will get to in a moment. Prior to the Greenman, I had been in a bit of an
artistic slump. I wasn't really creating anything new, just going back
over some older works in a newly discovered ink/watercolor medium-now my medium
of choice. I was satisfied at the time, but itching to create something
wondrous. That is when I began taking my first Reiki Level 1 class.
Reiki is something I have had an interest in for a long time. For years,
I have suffered from an autoimmune disorder, which at times has left me sick
and often depressed. I have always been interested in self-healing, and
remember vividly as a child laying my hands over my stomach to ease stomach
pains. Therefore, it is not surprising to me I would be interested in it
today. I was also going through a transition in my work place environment.
The career I had loved for many years was ending due to funding. This was
very difficult on me. I loved what I was doing and felt in many ways it
was a calling, just as my art. How lucky I was to have been able to make
an impact in a child's life. I couldn't understand why it was being taken
away from me. I cried for several days, allowing myself to feel the loss
and emotion of the situation. Then I decided that even the bad stuff in
life is a learning situation. I needed this door to close, because
something wondrous was right around the corner. Bear with me, as this
will be a long post. I have much catching up to do...As I said, I began
Reiki 1. I received my first attunement, which was utterly amazing. I
actually didn't think anything would happen, and was blown away when it
did. I literally felt as though a champagne cork had been released.
I was the bottle and my head was the cork. Suddenly, everything was
brighter and clearer. I practiced each day, feeling better both mentally,
emotionally and physically. I also began creating again. This time
my approach was more patient and intuitive. I worked when it felt right,
not because I felt I had to finish. The results were significantly
different...others may not see it, but I knew it was there. When I
finished the Greenman drawing, I went for a long walk around our local pond,
which is surrounded by trees and all forms of a nature. I had a long talk
with the Universe, curious as to where my life might be going. I needed
to know I was supported. When I went home, I found a black walnut shell
on my front stoop. It was split in half. I contemplated where it
had come from. Did we even have a black walnut tree near our house?
Suddenly it hit me. The black walnut was my answer. I rushed
upstairs and researched walnut symbolism. I found this interesting link
for those who would like to read
more...http://www.floweressencemagazine.com/feb08/walnut.html. But, what
I got from it was a passage about transition, soul path and healing. I am
now carrying this walnut with me all the time as a talisman of sorts. I
went on to Reiki 2, and witnessed my creativity surge forth once again. I
suddenly had the urge to burn wood. This is amusing, as I have never done
this before. My store for those who wish to visit-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BurntWoodOfferings?ref=ss_profile. I am burning
images on wooden acorns, boxes, etc, and find it quite enjoyable.

I am
now in the midst of studying for Level 3. I am also working on an art
book. Mind you, I will have a very good editor. I am hoping to
release it in the fall. I also have a number of interesting images
floating around in my head. Each one is waiting patiently for their turn
at the canvas. I'm not worried about where things are going. I'm
riding the wave to see what is in store. I'm not fearful. I'm
curious. Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, I know I will land
eventually.